Destination east texas 2016

Destination East Texas PAGE 2


When one hears the term “Good Country Living,’’ thoughts of taking it easy by a pond or rocking on your

front porch, listening to the comforting sounds of nature come to mind. “Good Country Living’’ is what defines Lindale.

Whether it be enjoying a trip to the historic Old Mill Pond and Parrott Park Museum or taking in a show performed by the talented players of the Lindale Community Theater, Lindale has plenty to offer visitors and residents alike.

The Lindale Community Theater, formed five years ago by director Tim Mitchiner, stages four shows per season and offers summer camps for area youngsters.

In 2013, the LCT was named by the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year at the LACC’s annual awards banquet.

Parrot Park Museum, located at 2900 S. Main Street in Lindale – built and named after longtime Lindale resident Bill Parrott – features a plethora of items which reflect the history of Lindale and the East Texas area.

Admission to this one-of-a-kind museum if free and the hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Friday

and Saturday. The phone number is 903-882-4948.

Each October, the city celebrates the arrival of fall with Countryfest, featuring arts and crafts,

delicious food and various activities for the kids. In 2014, Countryfest was relo-cated to the Picker’s Pavilion area down-town where thousands enjoyed festival events.

On the third weekend of every May, professional rodeo riders hit town for the I-20 Team Real Estate Lindale

Championship Rodeo presented by Lonestar Ram held at the Lindale Rodeo Arena. Top of the line cowboys and cowgirls as well as championship stock perform three nights. Youngsters have events such as the calf scramble and Mutton Bustin’ in which to participate.

Texas Rose Horse Park, located at 14078 State Highway 110 North, features several equestrian shows during the year. The big event, Super Ride, arrives in July and features equestrian drill teams from across the region.

Golf is a sport enjoyed by thousands in the area

Continued on page 29



If you are looking for a location away from the busy hustle and bustle of the big city, consider Gilmer. It is located in the heart of Northeast

Texas 20 miles north of Longview and 40 miles northeast of Tyler.

The Gilmer Municipal Airport, also known as Fox Stephens Field, houses the Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum. The airport is used by local businesses and has helped attract new industry to the area.

Lake Gilmer opened in 2001 and is located on FM 852, four miles west of downtown Gilmer. Lake size is 1,010 surface acres and is stocked with Florida large mouth bass, black crappie and chan-nel catfish. An additional 1,557 acres of property has been developed into Kelsey Creek Sanctuary Nature Trails. The picnic area is ideal for gather-ings with covered cook-out spaces, picnic tables, fishing pier and swings for the children.

The East Texas Yamboree, the second oldest con-tinuous festival in Texas, established in 1935 has grown from a local event to one that draws a crowd from around Texas and surrounding states. Each

October the four-day festival draws an estimated crowd of 100,000 visitors who enjoy parades, Queen’s coronations, carnival, barn dance, fiddle contest, gospel stage, exhibits, livestock shows and sale, marching band contest, and more. Visit Yamboree.com, gilmerareachamber.com or email [email protected]

The Gilmer Civic Center is a premier event center in East Texas with approxi-mately 25,000 square feet, featuring a beautiful foyer, 5500 sq. ft. banquet room, concession area and a 424 seat auditorium with full stage, sound system, dressing rooms and loading dock. Seating can accommodate up to 1100 people.

The Civic Center can host concerts, proms, pri-vate parties, weddings, banquets, conventions, car shows, quincenearas, wrestling matches, fundrais-ers, outside events and so much more. The Civic Center has hosted world class concerts such as Miranda Lambert and Ray Price.

Please contact us for more information at 903-797-8888 Website:gilmer-tx.com and click on the Civic Center tab or visit our Facebook page.

Gladewater is the antique capital of East Texas, a Texas Main Street and a National Main Street city as well as a favorite

tourism spot, where visitors can enjoy a bit of past while browsing through the quaint old buildings.

You will find over 200 antique and crafters in over 30 antique malls and individual shops, a bed and breakfast inn, restaurants, bakeries and down home entertainment. World famous PRCA rodeo, massive East Texas Gusher Days, Arts & Crafts Festival, opry, lake recreations and the infamous July 4th Fireworks and boat parade at Lake Gladewater.

Other attractions include Lee’s Daffodil Garden in the spring, Gladewater Saturday Night Opry, the Gladewater Veterans War Memorial, and the year-round rec-reation available at Lake Gladewater.

Located on U.S. Highway 80 and State Highway 271, Gladewater is 105 miles east of Dallas. We welcome you to come and visit us as we treasure the past while embracing the future.

Gladewater was founded by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company in 1873 on land bought from Jarrett Dean and Anderson White. A com-munity called St. Clair, two miles to the east, moved to Gladewater when the railroad announced that the only mail stop in the area would be there;

residents from Point Pleasant, also bypassed by the railroad, moved to Gladewater. The first post office at Gladewater was established on August 22, 1873. The town’s name probably originated from its proximity to Glade Creek, a stream that rose in a rather barren region called the Glades.

In 1874 Gladewater was incorporated with a mayor-alderman government. The incor-poration lapsed, and a new charter was not obtained until 1931, when an influx of population necessitated organized city government. In 1955 Gladewater adopt-ed a council-mayor form of government. The population grew slowly during the nineteenth century; the town had only 163 people in 1880 and 259 in 1900.

On April 7, 1931, the first Gladewater oil well blew in. It was located one mile outside town in the Sabine River bottom. Oil production led to a population increase during the 1930s from about 500 persons to around 8,000. In 1940, after the oil boom, Gladewater had a population of 4,454.

During the 1970s Gladewater moved from an oil-oriented to a more diversified economy, pri-marily because of depletion of oil resources in the area. In 1990 the community was known for its numerous antique stores, an attraction that con-tinues to grow and draw visitors.


As far as East Texas cities go, Edom has never been big in size but it has played a huge role in hosting and attracting some

of the best artisans and creative people anywhere.Each fall, the town displays its love affair with

art with its annual Festival of the Arts – one of the most popular in East Texas.

The idea for such a festival came about in 1972, when resident artists and their friends joined forces to show-case their works. The first show attract-ed more than 2,000 people and it has grown each year since.

After years of being an invitation-only event, the Festival of the Arts has since become open to artists throughout the country through a jury process where dozens of artists are chosen for their diversity and uniqueness.

Included in the festival are a free children’s art workshop as well as live music and lots of deli-cious food.

Collector’s of all types can find what they are hunting for during the festival in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Located at the intersections of Farm to Market roads 279, 314 and 2339 in the southeast corner of Van Zandt County, Edom is the third oldest town in the county.

The town traces its beginnings to 1849 when a post office called Hamburg was organized a few miles from the town’s present site. In 1855, the post office moved closer to the present town site and was renamed Edom for the name given to

Esau in the book of Genesis.This little community became a stop-

ping point for lumberjacks and traders traveling on Porter’s Bluff and Tyler Road.

Local saloons filled with lumberjacks, freighters, and traders as the communi-ty became a stopover on the Porter’s

Bluff and Tyler Road.By 1860, having moved again to its present

location, the town had a Baptist church, a Masonic Lodge, a wagon factory and a sawmill. The Edom schools opened in 1866.

Even though the railroad didn’t stretch into Edom, the population of the quaint little com-munity grew from 150 people in the 1890s to nearly 300 by the 1920s.

Edom was an independent school district until 1966, when it was consolidated with Van. In 1988 Edom had three businesses, the frontier Red Hill cemetery at or near the townsite, and an estimated 277 inhabitants. The population was 300 in 1990 and 322 in 2000.

Each fall, the town displays its love affair with art with its annual Festival of the Arts – one of the most popular in East Texas. Included in the festival are a free children’s art workshop as well as live music and lots of food.



CADDO LAKE

Jefferson is located on Big Cypress Bayou in the Cypress Valley of Northeast Texas. It is the county seat for Marion County. Jefferson

was named for Thomas Jefferson and was conceived as a port city. In 1845, when obstructions were removed from Big Cypress Bayou, steam-boats could reach Jefferson from New Orleans. After the arrival of the first steamboat, Jefferson became a boom town where many pioneers to Texas first set foot on Texas soil when they disembarked from the steamboats.

During Jefferson’s Golden Era as a steamboat port from 1845 until 1875, it became a cosmopolitan town like most port cities with a confluence of cultures and businesses. The architectural styles, which developed in Jefferson during this period of prosperity, resembled those of New Orleans. The homes were primarily of Greek revival design.

When the log raft was removed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the year 1873, the water level in Big Cypress Bayou was reduced and navigation to Jefferson was threatened. Railroads were also extended during this period of time across Texas, which reduced Jefferson‘s commercial market area.

The town ceased to be a prominent port city and commercial center. However, many of the mid-nine-teenth century homes and buildings remain.

Tourists come to Jefferson seeking the ambience, relaxation and activities which are provided here.

Jefferson boasts many bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, places of entertainment and shops. There are boat rides on Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake, wagon and surrey rides, rides on an antique nar-row-gauge railroad train and tours of his-toric homes.

Its streets are lined with antique and gift shops stocked with unique treasures.

Evenings in town offer live theater productions, as well as a variety of dining choices. Retiring for the night in Jefferson offers the opportunity to experi-ence any of the over 60 Bed and Breakfast establish-ments, including the Excelsior Hotel.

The Railway is a part of the thriving communi-ty of Jefferson sponsoring major events through-out the year, including the Runaway Fright Train in October, the Rail of Lights Christmas/New Year’s train The Great Locomotive Chase & Civil War Living History and Jefferson Train Days, both in May.

Caddo Lake has been called the most beautiful lake in America by most who have seen it. It is also a lake of mystery

and lots of history. Caddo Lake is the largest natural lake of fresh water in the south, covering about 26,800 acres at 168.5 ft (sea level).

The acreage can fluctuate easily to over 35,000 acres at times of high water levels.

Half the lake is in Texas and half in Louisiana and within 20 miles of southwest Arkansas.

There are 4 watersheds that supply Caddo Lake with water: Little Cypress Bayou, Big Cypress Bayou, Black Cypress Bayou, and Jeems Bayou.

Caddo Lake State Park consists of 8,253 acres west of the lake itself, in Harrison County, near Karnack.

The park affords excellent access to the diverse fishing in Texas. Also popular are the park’s quaint cabins, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Activities enjoyed by visitors include camping, hiking, paddling trails, pic-nicking, nature study, fishing and boating.

Canoe rentals are available year-round from the park headquarters. Jon boat rentals are avail-able at Crip’s Camp Marina in Uncertain, Texas, approximately five miles east of the park entrance on FM 2198.


Diboll is nestled in the beautiful Pineywoods of East Texas. Founded in 1894 by Virginia native Thomas Lewis Latane

Temple as the home of Southern Pine Lumber Company, Diboll has always served the forest indus-try.

Today, Diboll is home to six types of industry, as well as numerous food establishments and small businesses. The Diboll Independent School District provides an excellent place for area children to learn, right here at home.Tamale Festival

The area’s best tamales can be found May 14 at the annual Tamale Festival in the city’s Old Orchard Park. Come sample tamales made from scratch or show off your tamale-making prowess by entering in the tamale contest. Or, if you’re more of an eater than a maker, enter in the Tamale Eating Contest.

There will be other food vendors, a salsa contest, a bean contest, craft vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, games, youth boxing, a mariachi band and other entertainment.

For more contest information or booth applica-tion, call 936-829-4888.Neches Pines Golf Course

The Neches Pines Golf Course provides residents and visitors with an enjoyable 7,014 yards of golf with unmatched views of the East Texas Pineywoods. A club house, driving range, cart-rental service and knowledgeable staff ensure that everything you need for a great round of golf can be found right here in Diboll.Old Orchard Park

Old Orchard Park is 66 acres shaded by pecan trees, a perfect place for a picnic, birthday party or a

family reunion.A popular stop for annual trail rides, the park fea-

tures numerous ball fields, covered pavilions, amphi-theater and duck pond as well as a concreted paved hike and bike trail connecting the park with the ball fields, golf course, civic center and history center.TLL Temple Memorial Library

The award-winning TLL Temple Memorial Library houses more than 44,000 volumes, public –access computers and the Judge John Hannah Reading Room, which contains artifacts from the federal judge’s life in office.

The library hosts an annual summer reading pro-gram for children and teens, frequently provides educational opportunities for patrons located all over East Texas.The History Center

Whether you are new to East Texas or have lived here all your life, you can probably find something to interest you at The History Center.

The free-to-the-public archival facility is home to more than 11,500 square feet of historical materials and more than 250,000 photographs that document the rich history of East Texas and the forestry and railroad industries that call this region home.

Come climb aboard Engine 13, the restored 1920 Baldwin steam locomotive. Ring the bell, blow the whistle, explore the caboose and experience the sights and sounds of railroading’s exciting past.Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center

The newly renovated Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center features more than 5,400 square feet of space that can be used for plays, business meetings, receptions or anything else you can dream up. Amenities include wireless internet, sound system, catering kitchen and a dance floor.

ANNUAL EVENTSMarch 26 – Easter in the Park Community Easter Egg Hunt – Old Orchard Park May 14 – 9th Annual Tamale Festival - Old Orchard Park May 21 – Tamale Festival Appreciation Concert - Diboll Civic CenterJuly 2 – July Music in Park - Old Orchard Park August 13 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Back to School Pizza Party - Diboll Civic CenterSeptember – Diboll Day Queen Candidate Events –all monthOctober 1 -- 62nd Diboll Day -- Old Orchard Park October 4 – Texas Night Out -- Old Orchard Park October 29 – Kids’s Costume Fun Run & Zombie Walk -- Orchard Park December – Christmas Jubilee, TBD, Old Orchard Park


Texarkana USA is really two cities located in the northeast corner of Texas and the southwest corner of Arkansas! When you

visit Texarkana, you’ll see why people say it’s “Twice as Nice!” There are two of almost everything: two city mayors, two city governments, two police departments, and two fire departments. All of this, however, makes up one outstanding community!

We welcome you to discover our very unique city! A visit to Texarkana reveals a host of historic treasures: annual festivals, enter-tainment from performing arts, profes-sional baseball, stock car races, art exhib-its, shopping, great outdoors and sports, wonderful restaurants and a citizenry proud to call Texarkana home!

This listing only includes a few of Texarkana’s fine attractions:

STATE LINE POST OFFICEAND FEDERAL BUILDING

500 State Line Avenue, (903) 794-8561 One of the most unique features of Texarkana is the

ONLY U.S. Post Office sitting in two states. This Post Office straddles Texas and Arkansas and has separate zip codes, 71854 for Texarkana, Arkansas and 75501 for Texarkana, Texas. Built in 1932-33 the structure features a base of pink granite from Texas and walls of limestone from Arkansas. Remarkably, Texarkana boasts this to be the most photographed courthouse in the United States, second only to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

UNIQUE PHOTO OPPORTUNITYAT PHOTOGRAPHER’S ISLAND!

Experience a truly unique photo opportunity while straddling the Texas / Arkansas State Line at Photographer’s Island, located in front of the Post Office. When you’re ready for a photo so large it takes two states, come strike a pose on photographer’s island! 500 State Line Ave., Texarkana, USA.

HISTORIC PEROT THEATRE219 Main Street, (903) 792-4992 (box office)

Marvel at the Perot Theatre located in downtown Texarkana. The theatre is a jewel in the region, bringing the best of Broadway, classical music, ballet, jazz, mod-ern dance and more to Texarkana. First opened in 1924 as the Saenger Theatre, Emil Weil’s Italian Renaissance design is an architectural marvel. Through the generos-ity of native son H. Ross Perot, his sister Bette Perot, and area residents, the beautiful old theatre was saved and restored into one of the nation’s major performing arts centers. To schedule a tour, call the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC), (903) 792-8681.

REGIONAL ARTS CENTER4th & Texas Boulevard, (903) 792-8681

The beautifully renovated Regional Arts Center origi-nated in 1909 as a United States District Courthouse. The old courtroom is now a grand hall with a 26-foot-high ceiling. National touring art exhibitions grace gal-lery walls twelve months a year, and the halls ring out when the rolls are playing on the unique reproducing player piano. Today the Center serves as the focal point for the visual arts and houses the only art museum in the region featuring national touring, juried and invita-tional exhibitions. The year-round programming also

includes classes, lectures, workshops, film series and tours. Also inside the Center is the For Arts’ Sake Gift Shop filled with unique gifts. For further information, contact TRAHC, the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Inc. P.O. Box 1171, Texarkana, TX 75504.

SCOTT JOPLIN MURAL311 Main Street

Check out the Scott Joplin Mural! This unique land-mark is a colorful, outdoor mural that depicts the life and accomplishments of the Pulitzer Prize-winning compos-

er and area native, Scott Joplin. The mural also features accurate musical notes of the final measures of Joplin’s famous song, The Entertainer. The mural is located on the south wall of the building at 311 Main St. near the Perot Theatre.

MUSEUMS:ACE OF CLUBS HOUSE

420 Pine Street, (903) 793-4831Don’t miss the Ace of Clubs House, unique-

ly designed and built in 1885. Legend has it that entre-preneur James H. Draughon built the 22 sided house with the winnings from a poker game and that the win-ning card was the Ace of Clubs. Each room represents a specific period in the history of the house and reveals interesting insights into the lifestyle of the families who lived there. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission: Adults- $5, Students- $3.50, Senior Citizens- $4.50, children under 5 years admitted for free. Group tour rates and guided tours are available.

MUSEUM OF REGIONAL HISTORY219 State Line Avenue, (903) 793-4831

Located in the oldest brick building in Texarkana, the Historical Museum offers a wide range of exhibits. Visitors will enjoy the Victorian Parlor, an interactive musical exhibit dedicated to Scott Joplin, the “Father of Ragtime Music”; and replicas of a Doctor’s Office, an 1890’s Farmstead model; and other displays depicting the early history of Texarkana. There is also an exhibit that focuses on the Caddo Indians that lived in the area and includes Caddo pottery, tools, and other artifacts. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission: Adults- $2, Students- $1, Senior Citizens- $1.50, children under 5 years admitted for free.

DISCOVERY PLACE MUSEUM215 Pine Street, (903) 793-4831

The young and the young at heart will enjoy looking into the past and future while visiting this unique muse-um. The Discovery Place Museum has a one-of-a-kind 12 ft. sound wall, giant animal murals, and large scale hands-on permanent exhibits focusing on science, his-tory and human perception. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission: $4 per person, children under 5 years admitted for free.

TEX-ARK ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM217 LAUREL Street, (879) 772-2886

The Auto Museum is located between Third and Broad Streets in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. It is open from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and from 1 pm to 4 pm on Sundays. Special tours are also offered through the week by appointment only. The Museum contains a rotating (every three months cars are changed out) display of some 22 vehicles representing 4 to 5 decades of auto manufacturing along with varied automobile related items for your viewing pleasure. For additional information about Texarkana, you are invited to contact the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, 819 State Line Avenue, Texarkana, AR-TX 75501, Email: [email protected] or phone: (903) 792-7191.



We invite you to visit Corsicana and experience our motto yourself. But what does “Where Country Meets

Culture” really mean? We believe that in Corsicana, you get the best of

both worlds: Arts and entertainment unparalleled in scope other than in the big Metroplexes, along with food, shop-ping, and recreation in the relaxed setting of a town that is just right in size to offer everything without being hectic or rushed.

Corsicana and the surrounding area offer a multitude of recreational oppor-tunities to enjoy. There are 12 parks that cover approximately 600 acres, three lakes including Richland Chambers, the third largest lake in Texas, two golf courses, and 49 tennis courts. Entertainment venues cover everything from movies to music including The Palace Theatre, The Warehouse Living Arts Center and an out-door amphitheatre for concerts.

A walk through downtown Corsicana is a walk through history. The classic features of its original brick streets blend in with new attractions of neighborhood restaurants, entertainment, antique shopping and loft apartment living, creating a community feel all its own. With room to expand, new businesses can take advantage of the vibrant downtown activity and current development incentives.

Designated an official Texas Main Street City in 1985, the Corsicana Main Street Program works to assist in the revitalization of the downtown area through the use of historic preservation and eco-nomic development strategies.

Some of Corsicana’s annual events include:CAF Air ShowWatch the pyrotechnic and aerobatic demon-

strations brought to you by the Coyote Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

Corsicana TXBR Stage RaceAttend this spectator friendly, high

action event the second Saturday in May.

Cotton Harvest FestivalSupport the Kerens Library and have a

good time at the Kerens Cotton Harvest Festival held each year on the third Saturday in October.

Derrick DaysTake part in the annual festivities dating back to

the early oil boom days.Freedom FestivalGet excited about the professional pyrotechnic

show, live music, water slides, bounce houses, and vendors at the Freedom Festival.

Great Pumpkin PatchView the events and activities taking place at the

Main Street’s Great Pumpkin Patch.

Biplane at Commemorative Air Force Air Show.

Fruitcakes at Collin Street Bakery.

Documents

Destination east texas 2016